If you have a dog and an internet connection, you’re probably aware that pet owners sometimes disagree about things. You’re also probably aware that on the internet, “sometimes disagree” means “argue profusely.” One of the most contentiously debated topics among those who debate pet-related issues on the internet is what to feed your dog. Or, far more importantly, what not to feed your dog.

It seems the most contentious of pet foods is kibble. The sheer volume of impassioned claims made for and against kibble vs. raw and fresh dog food can obscure the actual facts.

So, according to those facts, what should a responsible dog owner actually feed their pup?

The Trouble with Kibble

As is the case with most big questions in life, the answer is more about a gray area than necessarily spelled out in black and white. Still, the anti-kibble crowd is backed up by some pretty compelling stuff. Many of the complaints are pretty common sense. Dry kibble can contain around 40-60% carbohydrates, it retains very little moisture (hence, “dry” kibble), and the protein in kibble is typically cringe-worthy feed-grade rendered meat. Not the highest quality, most appetizing stuff imaginable, and research on mammalian digestion found that, not too surprisingly, carnivorous pets digest actual foodstuff better than extruded kibble.(Though the worst consequence cited by that research is the possibility of bloating.)

Less benign-seeming, over years of testing, a whole slew of nasty-sounding and potentially carcinogenic chemicals have been found in kibble. In fact, the high temperature production method for making kibble has been linked to the Maillard reaction, which has been shown to create carcinogens—and that’s not what you want in your pup’s next meal.

As a caring, cautious dog owner it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to what you serve your pup. After all, you probably wouldn’t dish up a meal for yourself with by-products, rendered meats, fillers, and chemicals—which are often found in commercial dog food—so why would you for your fuzzy best friend?

Next-Level Doggy Dining

There is an option that bypasses the aforementioned kibble issues. And apologies to the raw dog food camp—it’s not turning to a raw diet. Though the use of real human grade food in raw diets, when served in the appropriate portions, can be great for dogs, the risk of pathogens in raw food is considerably higher than it is for kibble.

The key is finding a reputable fresh dog food delivery outfit online that prepares human grade dog food and employs a “gentle cooking” method, such as sous-vide, to cook your pup’s meal safely and kill pathogens. This method provides your canine connoisseur with safe, moist food that has the balanced vitamin, mineral, and general nutrient content that only real food has. And, perhaps most importantly to your pup—flavor that blows kibble out of the water.